Ireland, the Emerald Isle, is the westernmost outpost of Europe. Outside the vibrant, 21st century cities you will find a slower pace of life, more relaxed attitudes and a real sense of community. In Ireland our volunteers work in schools, camps and community centres assisting teachers and other staff to provide high levels of education and care.
Placement Locations
Placements are located throughout Ireland
Is it for me?
If you love a simpler life, friendly people and escaping into the country, then Ireland is for you. Living and working in this beautiful country you will create long lasting bonds with your colleagues and the children you are working with. You need to be hard working, unafraid of taking on responsibility and prepared to throw yourself into your placement and into Irish life.
Roles Explained
Schools Assistant placements are at preparatory schools for seven to 13 year olds (some have pre-prep departments for children from three years old), senior schools for 13 to 18 year olds, or schools which combine some or all of these. Many are single-sex schools. Volunteers are usually based in the boarding houses or PE/sports departments, but most schools try to give the volunteer a varied timetable.
Outdoor Activity placements vary from big organisations with a large number of seasonal young staff, to small family-run operations. Volunteer tasks include leading group activities such as archery, ropes, abseiling, orienteering, assault courses, canoeing, overseeing team building games and undertaking some general cooking, gardening and cleaning duties.
Caring placements are in residential homes and generally involve working with adults with a variety of disabilities. Volunteer duties may involve assisting with the day-to-day care of residents, leading activities such as art, sport, and music, or taking outings to places of interests such as the theatre, seaside or local pub! These placements provide the opportunity to support, entertain and befriend residents and enable volunteers to make a small but significant difference to people’s lives.
Volunteers may receive a small monetary payment each week as a contribution towards expenses incurred during their placement in Ireland
Accommodation and Food
With Schools Assistant placements, hosts provide volunteers with their own room in the boarding house and food is supplied by the school canteen.
With Outdoor Activity and Caring placements, accommodation varies but usually comprises of a shared house or flat. Some placements provide food, while others set up a system of self-catering for volunteers.
What’s Included
Pre-departure briefing
Airport pickup
Accommodation & food
Pocket money
In-country orientation
In-country support
24/7 support
Need to know
Pre departure briefing – all volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure
On arrival – the majority of volunteers attend a two-day orientation course at Reading University, while others receive an orientation upon arrival at their placement
Costs
| Interview fee | $100 |
| Contribution fee | $3300 |
| Tax | $15 |
You will also need to budget for:
Travel insurance
Airfares
Visa
Police check
Travel
There are plenty of opportunities to travel. If placed within a school, volunteers will be able to travel during the school holidays and at the end of their placement. With all other placements the opportunity to travel will be at the end of the placement. Ireland is just a short hop from the mainland Europe but retains a traditional, community feel in the small villages and towns. Dublin is the place to go for the “craic” which roughly translates as having fun and a laugh with your friends. Dublin’s clubs and bars are vibrant, noisy places where everyone is a friend and there’s no such thing as a quiet drink.